You will think me, as you have no doubt long ago thought
me, a very miserable correspondent; but the fact is, that of late my time has,
in a most unusual manner, been occupied. The History of
Hampshire has not merely been at sixes and sevens, but at
sixteens and seventeens. A certain flowery-named gentleman, as I conceive, has
by no means fulfilled his engagements with me, which I intend very shortly to
prove. I mean to call for a full investigation into my whole conduct relating
to it, which I hope the trustees will not refuse to enter into. Lord Malmesbury was with me some time on the
subject about three weeks ago, and I firmly believe is my friend; at all
events, I shall not let the matter rest until I have a full arrangement of the
business. My evidence on the subject is indisputable; and I have a letter
promising a compensation in case of a failure in obtaining the
| KILDARE STREET—1813. | 31 |
You, I presume, are by this time comfortably settled in your new residence, and, as I should conceive, find domestic pleasures infinitely to be preferred to those of pomp and bustle in a house not your own. This is peculiarly the case with me. Since I have been in Christchurch this time, I believe I have only dined from home about four times, nor do I ever wish to be from my own premises. Mrs. Bingley has been most lamentably unwell ever since our arrival. She has three times only been out of the house, nor do I at present see any immediate prospect of her recovery. It will indeed greatly rejoice me when she is again able to go abroad.
When you next write you must inform me how many patients you have got. I presume that your knocker must, by this time, be almost worn out. I am glad your packages arrived safely; but I must confess, when I was putting your chattels together, I did not conceive that I was doing it for a voyage to a foreign country.
The new edition of the Animal Biography has
been published about three months; and Longman and Co.
| 32 | LADY MORGAN'S MEMOIR. |
By the way, I have been employed, during the evenings, in preparing a little introductory work on Zoology, the first sheet of which is printed. This, at present, is unknown I believe to any except the bookseller and my family. The plan is nearly the same as that of Animal Biography, and it has been prepared chiefly for the purpose of affording a popular view of the Linnean system. I am very anxious for its success, although I have sold the copyright. It will be in one duodecimo volume, and it is my intention to follow it up with another on the subject of Botany and Mineralogy.
Mrs. Bingley unites with me in kindest remembrances to yourself and Lady Morgan.
PS.—Little Susan and Tom are going on wonderfully well; their progress is more rapid than I could have conceived it possible, but their capacities are greater far than those of any children I have ever yet seen.
